How to Choose Sunscreen According to Your Skin Type?
Summer is just around the corner and spending time outside soaking in the sunshine is inevitable. The temperatures might be mild, but donât let that fool you into forgetting to apply sunscreen.
Whether youâre at the beach sunbathing or running errands in the city, harmful UV radiations will find their way to your skin. Your face cream may have some level of protection, but as the weather gets warmer, the SPF needs to go up. When you are out in the sun your skin gets damaged, dry and unhealthy.
Your travel plans mean a lot of sun exposure and different forms of sun-induced damage for your skin which may lead to skin damage. Thus applying a travel-friendly sunscreen is the most important part of your skincare routine. Sunscreens come in various forms such as gels, sunscreen lotion, creams, sprays, etc. With a lot of brands in the market, we are often spoilt for choice of sunscreen according to our skin type. Let's understand
How to choose a good sunscreen?Â
1. Choose Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
4. Sunscreen Spray, lotion, stick or gel?
1. Choose Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
Broad-spectrum sunscreen means the product protects from both UVA and UVB rays. This is not only crucial for skin cancer prevention, but also for protecting your face from sun damage and premature skin aging.
It was earlier believed that a sunscreen with SPF 15 offers sufficient UV protection under most conditions. But over the last few this thought has changed. Nowadays the best face sunscreen should have an SPF of 30+ to protect us from UVA, UVB, and IR radiation.
2. Go for an SPF 30 or Higher
When choosing the best sunscreen for face, opt for a high SPF of 30 or higher which easily absorbs into the skin such as sunscreen gel SPF 50 especially for oily skin. No matter your skin tone, you should always stay protected from harmful UV rays.
The same goes for your body, especially if youâre exposed to the sun for longer periods of time. Donât forget to apply sunscreen to your neck, ears, hands, and feet, as the skin there is thinner and more prone to burning.
Sunscreen with SPF 30 is estimated to allow 1/30 of sunâs rays to get through the skin. Sunscreen with SPF 50 is estimated to allow 1/50 of the sunâs rays to get through the skin. Thus choose your sunscreen wisely.
3. Consider Your Skin TypeÂ
How to choose sunscreen according to your skin type is a very common question. When choosing a sunscreen, consider your skin type. Do you have dry skin that doesnât do well in the sun? Then you need a sunscreen that doubles as a moisturizer. If you have oily, acne-prone skin, specifical sunscreen for oily skin is recommended as it will be water-based instead of oil-based thus a sunscreen gel is recommended for oily skin
If your skin is sensitive and prone to irritation, avoid products with alcohol, preservatives, fragrances, and oxybenzone. For darker skin tones who tan easily and rarely burn may feel they do not need to use sunscreen. However, like sunburn, a tan is the result of DNA damage from exposure to the sunâs harmful UV radiation.
Thus sunscreen is recommended to everyone with lighter or darker skin tones. Also, male skin is different from female skin and requires a different type of care and sun protection(you might be interested in âHow to choose sunscreen for men?â).
The best sunscreen for kids should be at least 50, but you should aim for 70+. Choose sunscreens specifically made for kids as adult sunscreens can irritate their gentle skin. Babies need even stronger sun protection, as their skin is thinner and more sensitive.
4. Sunscreen Spray, lotion, stick or gel?
Well, itâs completely on your personal preferences whether you want to use a spray, lotion, stick or gel. What matters the most is how you use and how much you use. Also if you are using a sunscreen spray and you want to apply it to your face it is suggested to spray it onto you hands and then apply.
5. Water Resistance
When choosing the best sunscreen for sensitive skin, make sure the product is water-resistant. Sunscreen manufacturers are not legally allowed to make or claim an SPF product as âwaterproofâ.
Water-resistant sunscreen means youâll be protected while you swim, but youâll need to reapply when you get out. For the best protection, apply a layer of sunscreen every 40-80 minutes.
6. Quality of Ingredients
One of the most important things to look for in sunscreens is the list of ingredients. There are two types of sunscreens: chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreen ingredients, such as PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) and cinnamates, absorb UV rays and convert the sunâs radiation into heat energy, whereas physical sunscreens (such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) deflect and scatter the rays before they penetrate your skin. What youâll use depends on your skin type and amount of sun exposure.
Sunscreens are mostly made of lab-produced chemicals, but if you want to protect and moisturize your skin additionally, look for natural ingredients, oils, and extracts.
Protect Your Skin From The Sun With the Best Sunscreen
Choosing the best sunscreen for your skin and avoiding the common mistakes while buying sunscreen can be overwhelming with so many products on the market, but with these tips, youâll know exactly what to look for.
Sensitive or oily skin types are the most challenging when it comes to sun exposure, frequent exposure to the sun can affect your skin adversely so reading the ingredients is essential for optimum protection.
Sunscreen is an important part of a skincare regimen that should also include seeking the shade, avoiding UV tanning, and wearing protective clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
By educating yourself, you can confidently opt sunscreen that will fit your particular needs, offering you the best protection from the sunâs harmful rays and helping to ensure that you use it regularly.
Planning a summer holiday soon? Try our Derma Essentia SPF 50 gel sunscreen which is oil free sunscreen gel which controls oil and blocks the UVA/UVB/IR sunrays.
